Coca-Cola recall linked to chlorate levels within drinks

The soft drink lines have been recalled because they may contain higher levels of chlorate than normal.

Chlorate is a chemical used in the treatment of water used during the manufacturing process and has been linked to potentially serious health problems when consumed in certain quantities.

Affected products include several varieties of Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico and Minute Maid, with the recall primarily focused on batches sold in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands that have largely been withdrawn from sale.

However, cans of Appletiser, Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke and Sprite Zero imported to the UK have also been impacted by the issue.

The cans in question have already been sold and feature production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE. No consumers in the UK have yet reported issues.

“Coca-Cola Europacific Partners considers the quality and safety of its products as its top priority,” said a CCEP spokesperson.

“Routine testing identified that certain products contained elevated levels of chlorate. Independent expert analysis concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low.”

In order to determine the level of threat posed to consumers in the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is working with CCEP and relevant authorities.

“The Food Standards Agency is aware of an international product withdrawal and recall by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners of a small number of their soft drinks containing higher levels of a chemical called chlorate,” FSA head of incidents Tina Potter told Food Manufacture.

“We can confirm that there has been limited distribution to the UK of the affected products. We are working with relevant authorities and the business directly to assess if there is a food safety concern for UK consumers. If we identify any unsafe food, we’ll take action to ensure it is removed and alert consumers.”

‘Administrative headache’

Suzanne Gallagher, senior associate in the white-collar investigations team at Withers, said that the recall was a timely reminder of the risks that food producers, importers, exporters and distributors can face.

“Not only will Coca-Cola be dealing with the administrative headache and PR crisis that come with a product recall, the company also has to answer to the Food Standards Agency which we know has opened an investigation,” Gallagher added.

“In this jurisdiction, the food regulator has wide ranging powers which include the power to enter premises, take samples and inspect records. A failure to cooperate can amount to obstruction which is a criminal offence.”